Photo of bed bug from PestWorld.org.
Summer is here, school is out, and families across North Carolina are gearing up for vacations, road trips, and sleepovers. But while you are making memories, bed bugs are looking for a free ride home. These tiny hitchhikers thrive during the busy summer travel season—making now the perfect time to learn how to spot, prevent, and treat infestations before they get out of hand.
At Clegg’s Pest Control, we understand that even the cleanest home can fall victim to bed bugs. That’s why we offer custom bed bug detection and extermination plans, including fumigation services for the most severe infestations.
How Did I Get Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. You can unknowingly bring them home in your luggage, on clothes, shoes, backpacks, or secondhand furniture. They hide in mattress seams, electrical outlets, behind baseboards, wallpaper, and even in sofas—essentially anywhere near their food source: you.
After feeding (typically at night), they return to hiding, sometimes for weeks at a time, making them incredibly hard to detect and remove without professional help.
Signs You May Have Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are sneaky, but they leave behind clues. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to call for a FREE Bed Bug inspection:
- Blood stains on sheets or pillowcases
- Dark or rusty excrement spots on bedding, furniture, walls, or clothing
- Musty odors from their scent glands
- Shed skins or tiny eggshells on furniture
- Itchy bites, especially on arms, legs, or neck
Get Your Free Estimate Today!
Technician performing professional inspection for signs of bed bugs.
Understanding Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites can vary by person—some may have no visible reaction, while others experience:
- Small, itchy red bumps
- Pustules or blisters
- Bites often appear in lines or clusters
- Bites typically appear on exposed skin (arms, legs, face)
Important: Bed bug bites can take anywhere from minutes to 14 days to appear, and they do not transmit disease—but they can cause extreme discomfort, anxiety, and skin irritation.
Clegg’s Bed Bug Treatment Services
At Clegg’s, we know no two infestations are the same. That’s why we start every job with a FREE general inspection to determine the extent of the infestation and tailor a custom treatment plan to your specific needs.
Our Bed Bug Control Options Include
- Targeted Treatments using heat, dusts, or residual sprays
- Encasements to trap and isolate infested areas
- Ongoing education on prevention
Bed Bug Heat Remediation Services
In cases where bed bugs have deeply infested furniture, walls, or multiple rooms, heat remediation may be the most effective solution. Clegg’s is one of the few companies in North Carolina licensed to perform structural heat remediation, providing you with peace of mind and complete eradication.
We also offer chamber fumigation for smaller items like mattresses or furniture that can be treated off-site.
Fumigation of a car for bed bugs
How to Prevent Bed Bugs – Especially During Summer Travel
While you can’t guarantee protection, you can reduce your risk of bringing bed bugs home with these smart tips:
- Inspect hotel rooms before unpacking: Check mattress seams, box springs, and headboards using a flashlight.
- Use trash bags inside your luggage to isolate clothing while traveling.
- Wash and dry all clothing on high heat immediately after returning from trips.
- Avoid secondhand furniture or curbside finds unless thoroughly inspected.
- Never bring used items into your home without a close look for eggs, exoskeletons, or stains.
- Vacuum luggage thoroughly and store it away from bedrooms or living spaces. Ensure that you discard bag afterward or thoroughly clean trash canister, so you do not redeposit any eggs/activity later.
- Routinely wash bedding in hot water and dry it on the highest heat setting.
Even with all these precautions, remember bed bugs can affect anyone. If you think you’ve brought home more than souvenirs, it’s time to act fast.
Bed Bug Biology: Why They’re Hard to Kill
- Female bed bugs lay about five eggs per day.
- Eggs hatch in 4–12 days, then go through five nymph stages, each requiring a blood meal.
- Adults live 6–18 months and can survive for months without feeding.
- Bed bugs feed primarily at night, but under stress, will feed during the day.
Because of this lifecycle and survival ability, infestations can rapidly multiply if left untreated.
Serving All of North Carolina
Clegg’s Pest Control proudly provides bed bug control and heat remediation services from the mountains to the coast, including:
- Asheville
- Charlotte
- Clinton
- Durham
- Fayetteville
- Greenville
- Kernersville
- Morehead City
- New Bern
- Raleigh
- Smithfield
- Southport
Wherever you are, we’ll be there with fast, reliable service you can trust.
Schedule Your FREE Bed Bug Inspection Today
Don’t let bed bugs take over your home this summer. Whether you’re dealing with an infestation or want to take proactive steps before vacation, Clegg’s is here to help. Our professionally trained pest control experts will detect the problem, walk you through your options, and eliminate the pests—fast.
📞 Call today or schedule your FREE Bed Bug Inspection.
